BYP had the pleasure of sitting down with Isy Ijeh, a Director in the EMEA Investment Management Legal Division at Morgan Stanley. She currently serves as the Chair of the firm’s Black Professionals Forum, and is a Committee member of the African and Caribbean Business Alliance at Morgan Stanley.

Let’s start from the beginning—how did you first get interested in the financial services world? Was there a "moment" that sparked your curiosity or inspired you to pursue this career?

My interest in financial services was piqued when I attended a Careers Fair hosted by the University of Leicester in my second year. There were various industries in attendance, and as a Law student who had never considered a career in finance, I was curious to learn about all career options available that did not require a specific degree. Still unsure about whether I could truly enter the financial services world with my legal background, I applied for a ten-week internship at Morgan Stanley that same Summer – that being one of the most exciting, challenging, amazing summers I had had. I learnt so much, from technical skills and industry knowledge to networking and relationship-building across the industry. I also fell in love with the culture and the quality of work that Morgan Stanley does – it definitely sparked an interest within me to come back, and so I did. That summer internship was my “moment”, a turning point in my career path.

The financial landscape is constantly changing. In your view, what are some of the most exciting trends or innovations right now that are shaking up the industry?

Arguably, one of the hottest trends now is AI and Machine Learning, which spans over a wide range of areas in the financial industry, from AI-driven financial analysis to using chatbots and AI-powered customer service tools to improve the user experience. We are also seeing a rise in the “conscious investor”. Sustainable and ESG investing is rapidly becoming a focus area as investors are considering environmental, social and governance factors in their decision-making. This includes the rise of green bonds, the carbon credit market and climate-conscious investment funds, which are expanding. It is exciting to see the impact of how the financial industry will look in the coming years with these new trends and innovations.

When you look back on your journey so far, what’s been the most rewarding part of working in this field? What moments are you most proud of?

I started my journey at Morgan Stanley as a Summer Analyst, and I know firsthand how difficult it can be in such a big, respected industry, where your knowledge of the industry and your network have yet to be established. One of the most rewarding and proud moments in my journey is always the summertime when we welcome the new summer analyst cohort, and I have the opportunity to share the things I have learnt and picked up along my journey, and the firm’s apprenticeship culture comes to life. It helps me to reflect on just how far I have come and how much I can inspire and help those who are in the same situation I was in all those years ago. It is rewarding knowing that you’re able to break through any perceived barriers into this competitive industry, and while it’s an accomplishment for them, it’s an honour for me, when and if I am able to play a part in that success.

Mentorship is often cited as one of the keys to success in any field. Can you share a bit about the mentors who have helped shape your career?

Mentors have played a critical role in the advancement of my career in a variety of different ways. The main thing to consider when seeking a mentor is to understand the purpose of the relationship. I have mentors for different areas of my career growth – both mentors who advise on my career directly, and those who advise more generally on my personal development.

My career mentor has helped guide me in making career decisions, such as a change in role and helped me to set and stay on track of goals. I changed roles in September, after setting a goal with my mentor at the start of the year, to pursue a different route in my career. She guided me, introduced me to the head of the new team that I wanted to join, and assisted in the conversations that ultimately led to me joining my new team. I leveraged her advice and experience in navigating the move, as well as her connections, as she knew the head of the department, which had a significant impact on my experience.

My professional development mentors have been integral to the development of my soft skills. I have personally sought out mentors in this category who possess skills or characteristics that I admire. For example, my role requires a lot of public speaking, and one of my mentors, whom I was introduced to as a consequence of attending a panel discussion at my firm, possesses great confidence in her public speaking abilities. She now mentors me and helps me in this specific area, which has tremendously shaped my ability to be a confident speaker, and in turn, excel, as that is a vital skill in my role.

What opportunities do you see for growth within Morgan Stanley, both for yourself and for others starting their careers here?

Morgan Stanley values mobility and supports employees who want to learn new skills or explore different career pathways at the firm. I have held various positions across my department, and even had the opportunity to go on an international secondment during my first year with the firm. There is a real opportunity as well as the freedom to express an interest in a particular sector, team or challenge, which will, to the extent possible, be accommodated.

There is a common theme of colleagues spending their whole career here, which has always fascinated me. But I think the main takeaway is that there are opportunities to grow, expand, pivot and try new things if you wish – it is a place where you can fulfil your full potential. You don’t have to be stuck doing one thing for the duration of your career, there is flexibility here that ensures you are always kept challenged and interested in your career. I would encourage anyone to take up these opportunities because they only add to your growth and keep you excited about your job.

The conversation around mental health in high-pressure careers like finance has been growing. How do you maintain your mental well-being, and what advice would you give to others in similar roles?

I prioritise my wellbeing by setting and maintaining boundaries. In practice, this is not always going to be easy, but it is essential. This will look different for everyone, but for me personally, I make it a rule not to check my emails past a certain time, unless necessary (i.e., when I am working on an urgent project).

I would also say that once you have switched off for the day, really switch off. Try and leave work at work and focus on the plans you have made for the weekend - seeing friends, going out to dinner, attending that fitness class, whatever it may be. It’s important to be fully present at work, but equally, be fully present in any personal endeavours. These breaks help with feeling refreshed and energised when returning to work.

What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting in the financial services industry?

The three key things that have supported my growth within the financial services industry are:

1. It is important to stay informed –The industry is constantly changing so it is important to stay updated on new market trends, understanding economic changes across the globe that may affect your particular coverage area or your clients, and be well-informed on new regulations that affect our industry. Essentially, it is important to know on the drivers of success for your business and have an expansive understanding of how the firm works.

2. Develop strong communications skills – the financial industry is much more than numbers and analytics. Although it is important to know how the numbers work, you need to be able to communicate this to clients and key stakeholders. Learning to explain complex concepts in concise ways is something that can be practised – the more you do it, the easier and more natural it will become.

3. Network, network, network – it goes without saying, it is important to know people and for people to know you. While relationship-building and expanding your network is essential, it doesn’t always come naturally to everyone, so I would suggest attending industry events, join professional groups and forums, and connect frequently with mentors who can expand your network.

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